Homer's Odyssey: A CommentarySnider, Denton Jaques
Philosophy
Homer's Odyssey: A Commentary
Snider, Denton Jaques
Epic poetry, Greek -- History and criticism; Homer. Odyssey; Odysseus, King of Ithaca (Mythological character) -- In literature
The objective sweep with its three localities is coupled with
geographical names which have given to the erudite guild a great deal
of trouble, with very small reward. In general these names of places
may be deemed to be mythical, yet with certain far-off gleams of actual
lands. Much more distinct and real is their spiritual significance. The
objective movement shadows forth the movement of society, the rise of
civilization, the becoming of the institutional world, which is here
unfolded through three stages in the following order:--
1. Ogygia.
2. Phaeacia.
3. Fableland.
1. Ogygia is the pure product of nature without cultivation or with
very little. It is the place where the natural man must conquer his
appetites, and long for, and finally seek for, a realm of order.
Calypso is the concealer, she who conceals spirit in the jungle of
nature. Here, then, occurs the primordial breach between the physical
and spiritual, out of which an institutional world can rise.
2. Phaeacia now appears, in which we behold the fundamental institutions
of man, Family and State, in their primitive idyllic condition, yet
transcendently pure and beautiful. The evolution of this new order from
the savage Cyclops is hinted in the poem. Only after Calypso is put
aside, do Arete the wife and Nausicaa the maid become possible. Upon
such a foundation a social system can be developed, with commerce,
navigation, etc. Still further, Phaeacia can begin to mirror itself in
art, as it does here in the songs of the bard, and also in games.
3. Fableland comes next, really a product of self-conscious art. In it
are set forth the struggles which arise between man and the civilized
order. Phaeacia is the simple condition of peace; man is in complete
harmony with himself and his institutional environment. But what if he
falls out with both? That will be a new stage, represented by a new set
of beings, who are to indicate not so much the conflict with nature as
the conflict with spirit. The world of reality is transcended,
marvelous shapes sweep into view, Polyphemus, Circe, the Sirens, even
the supersensible realm of Hades--all of which, however, must await a
special exposition. Still we should note that after this ideal realm of
struggle and desperate enterprise comes the real world of strife,
Ithaca, which is to be harmonized by the man who has passed through
this Fableland, and has reached an ideal harmony in Phaeacia.
II.
We soon find that Ulysses has been thrown back to Calypso's Isle from
Fableland, of which in a certain sense it is the continuation. The
circle which he has passed through is, therefore, the following:--
1. Fableland.
2. Ogygia.
3. Phaeacia.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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